Hypercholesterolemia in Cancer and in Anorexia Nervosa: A Hypothesis for a Crosstalk

Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Jul 5;23(13):7466. doi: 10.3390/ijms23137466.

Abstract

The relationship between cholesterol and cancer has been widely demonstrated. Clinical studies have shown changes in blood cholesterol levels in cancer patients. In parallel, basic research studies have shown that cholesterol is involved in the mechanisms of onset and progression of the disease. On the other hand, anorexic patients have high cholesterol levels and a high susceptibility to cancer. In this review, we first present a brief background on the relations among nutrition, eating disorders and cancer. Using several notable examples, we then illustrate the changes in cholesterol in cancer and in anorexia nervosa, providing evidence for their important relationship. Finally, we show a new possible link between cholesterol disorder in cancer and in anorexia nervosa.

Keywords: anorexia nervosa; cancer; hypercholesterolemia; keratinocytes; lipids; sphingomyelinase.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anorexia Nervosa* / complications
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders*
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia* / complications
  • Neoplasms* / complications

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.